BCA graduate turned thief arrested in Bengaluru, gold worth Rs 18.5 lakh recovered

A 27-year-old BCA graduate has been arrested for multiple thefts. (Representational image)

A 27-year-old BCA graduate turned thief, who had committed at least 16 thefts across Bengaluru since 2023, was arrested by Begur police while investigating a theft case in a house in Lakshmi Layout, Garvebhavipalya.

With Murthy K's arrest, six thefts in Begur police limits and two in Suryanagar police limits have been solved. Police have recovered 261 grams of gold ornaments worth Rs 18.5 lakh from him.

According to a Times of India report, Murthy, a resident of Hongasandra, had been arrested earlier in connection with eight other theft cases.

Murthy, who had been working for a private firm after completing his studies, became addicted to online gambling. After incurring loans, he quit his job and turned to crime.

He used to target houses where residents kept hidden keys in shoe racks, flowerpots, or on window parapets.

Murthy committed theft in the house of Mahesh BN, a private firm employee, on Dec 20, police said. Mahesh lives with his parents, wife, and children. Around 1 pm, his wife locked the house and went to her friend's place with the children, while his parents were also away.

She had placed the house key in the shoe rack before leaving and returned around 3 pm. Upon her return, she found that an unknown miscreant had entered the house, stealing gold ornaments worth Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 15,000 in cash.

Before zeroing in on Murthy, the police verified CCTV footage in the area and apprehended him in Hongasandra on Dec 29.

During his 12 days in police custody, Murthy confessed to eight recent crimes within the Begur and Suryanagar limits. He had pledged the stolen gold at various finance firms.

Begur police inspector Krishnakumar PS has offered to help him get a job if he reforms his ways. Murthy has agreed to turn his life around, said another senior officer.